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Finding the NAICS codes that actually pay you

Your code decides which set-asides you can see, which size standard applies, and whether you are small at all.

5 min read · updated 2026-08-29

A NAICS code is a six-digit number describing what your business does. Federal contracting runs on them. Every solicitation carries one, every size standard is defined per code, and the set-aside eligibility list is a list of codes.

You get more than one

You can register many NAICS codes in SAM, and you should register every one you can honestly perform. One of them is your primary code, which determines the size standard SBA measures you against.

This is the most underused lever available to a new contractor. A business that caters events, delivers food and rents equipment is three codes, not one, and each opens a different set of set-asides. Listing only the obvious one is leaving contracts invisible to you.

Choosing your primary code

Do not pick a code because it has more set-asides. You must be able to actually perform the work, and misrepresenting your primary code on a federal registration is a false statement. Choose honestly, then add every other code you genuinely qualify for.

When your code has no set-aside

Roughly speaking, if your code is not among the 733 designated industries, this program's set-asides do not exist for that work. That is worth knowing before you pay anyone a filing fee. You can still bid open competitions, and other certifications may apply: service-disabled veteran-owned, 8(a), or HUBZone.

If you run more than one business, check them separately. Plenty of owners qualify through a second entity when the first one does not.

Look up your code against SBA's listFree, no account

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